As
the Great Depression continued, the Redford and Michigan in Ann Arbor
tried new ways to pull in crowds. The Redford started presenting live
plays on Sundays, along with movies. Plays also were staged at other neighborhood
Publix Theaters (Annex, Alhambra, Ramona). The Michigan lowered the highest
ticket price for its regular shows from 50 to 40 cents, and cut the adult
price for the Saturday morning children shows from 30 to 15 cents.

"A
new dispensation in things theatrical began at the Redford Theater Sunday
afternoon with the opening performance of a three-act comedy, presented
by living actors of excellent gifts in a temple heretofore devoted to
the magic shadowshapes of the cinema," wrote Russell McLauchlin in
the June 6, 1932 Detroit News. This Thing Called Love featured
Emily Ross, a star of Detroit Civic Theater productions at the Bonstelle
Theatre.

In
Detroit, the United Artists Theater closed for the summer on June 8 (with
the last showing of As
You Desire Me), and re-opened on September 1 with White
Zombie. In the June 19, 1932 Detroit News, a note at the
end of the "Selected for the Children" movie list read: "Pictures
shown in downtown theaters do not commence neighborhood runs until 28
days later."